Red Bull Voices Remorse Over Comments Following Online Abuse Targeting Mercedes Star Kimi Antonelli

The Red Bull Formula 1 team has released a comment stating its sincere regret for comments made that were followed by a torrent of online abuse, including vile threats, directed at Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli was said to have switched his Instagram profile to a solid black image on Monday, a reaction to the abusive comments that appeared on his accounts. His team stated that a number of these messages constituted direct threats against the driver's life.

The controversy stems from team radio during the final laps of the Qatar Grand Prix. Max Verstappen's race engineer suggested over the air that it "appeared as if" Antonelli had "deliberately moved aside" to allow rival driver Lando Norris through.

This incident proved significant for the title fight, as Norris's pass earned him two additional points. This extended the McLaren driver's championship lead over Verstappen to a dozen points ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi.

In its statement, Red Bull asserted: "Observations voiced implying that Mercedes driver had deliberately allowed Lando Norris past are factually wrong. Video evidence shows Antonelli briefly losing control of his car, thus allowing Norris to pass him. We sincerely regret that this has led to Kimi receiving such abuse."

The team's announcement did not include a formal apology for the original claim. However, sources indicate that Lambiase subsequently apologised to Toto Wolff after being shown footage of the incident.

"This is complete and utter rubbish. That blows my mind even to hear that," stated Wolff. "We are fighting for P2 in the constructors' championship... How brainless can you be to even suggest something like this?"

Wolff explained that he had cleared the air with Lambiase, who claimed he had not seen the moment when he spoke over the radio. Mercedes reported a "1,100% increase" in negative traffic targeting Antonelli following the Grand Prix.

For his part, Antonelli explained the racing incident as a error. He said he was pushing hard to close on the Williams ahead and experienced a "massive moment" that led him to run wide and lose the position.

"It proved really hard with the turbulence and the tyres were overheating," Antonelli remarked. "A shame to lose the place because it would have been additional points."

Key Points from the Situation

• Red Bull has expressed regret for radio remarks made by a team member.
• Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli was targeted by severe online abuse in the aftermath of those comments.
• The disputed comment involved an overtaking move that affected the title battle.
• Video replays show Antonelli lost control, debunking the implication of team orders.
• The engineer involved has apologised to Mercedes team leadership.